GUS ON THE ISSUES

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Supporting Military and Veterans

The Problem: Under Presidents Obama and Biden, Democrats have gutted funding for the United States Military. At a time when the world is seeing unprecedented aggression from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, this lack of support for our national defense and those who bravely serve in our Armed Forces is simply unacceptable. Additionally, our nation’s heroes face bureaucratic roadblocks when trying to access the medical care, benefits, and supportive services they were promised, which is also unconscionable.

What Bilirakis Has Done

Gus Bilirakis has a well-deserved reputation for being a champion of our nation’s heroes. He has spent his tenure in Washington fighting to ensure Veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve. While there is still important work to be done, Bilirakis has achieved meaningful results. For several years as Vice-Chairman of the House VA Committee, he was instrumental in crafting legislation that overhauled the VA’s delivery of healthcare, modernized the benefits claims’ process, enhanced GI benefits, and improved its prevention services for suicide and homelessness.

  • The rates of Veteran homelessness throughout the nation and here in the Tampa Bay area have plummeted.
  • The transformation of homeless prevention services mirrors the homeless prevention model and is currently being implemented.
  • In recognition that one size does not fit all when it comes to Veterans’ mental health, Bilirakis authored legislation signed into law that required the VA to begin implementing complementary and alternative treatments, such as service animal therapy. This has been a huge step forward in helping many Veterans.
  • Bilirakis also secured funding for local Veterans which culminated in the new VA Outpatient Clinic in New Port Richey, the new Zephyrhills Outpatient Clinic, the new Bed Tower at James A. Haley Hospital in Tampa. He has also secured $15 million in the PACT Act for a new Outpatient Center in Citrus and over $50 million for a new long term care facility for Veterans throughout Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.
  • Eliminated the COVID 19 Vaccine Mandate for DOD members and ensured a pathway for reinstatement for those impacted.
  • He has consistently supported increases in pay for active duty, restored funding for defense spending, and modernization of military readiness to meet emerging challenges

Bilirakis has recently been named Veterans’ Advisor to Speaker Mike  Johnson.  In this new capacity, he will continue actively working to:

  • Fix concurrent receipt
  • Expand Veteran dental care
  • Eliminate unnecessary delays in travel pay reimbursement, accessing community care and benefit claim processing
  • Improve the quality of base housing for military families

Learn more about Gus's record on fighting for our Veterans and other issues and more by adding your name below!